Cases of measles are rising in our communities.
Letters and text messages will be sent out from the NHS throughout February. These are reminders that children and young adults need two doses of the MMR vaccination for protection against measles. Vaccine appointments can be booked through your GP or using one of our walk-in clinics.
| Date | Site | Address | Borough | Opening Hours | Vaccinations |
| 11 April | Chelsea Theatre | 7 World's End Place, SW10 0DR | RBKC | 10:00-16:00 | MMR, MECC |
| 12 April | Vaccination Bus - Outside Pimlico Station | Outside Pimlico Station, Rampayne Street, SW1V 2JA | Westminster | 10:00-16:00 | MMR, MECC |
| 12 April | Treaty Centre | Ground Floor Treaty Shopping Centre, High Street,TW3 1ES | Hounslow | 10:00-16:00 | MMR, MECC |
| 15 April | North Kensington Library | North Kensington Library, 108 Ladbroke Grove, W11 1PZ | Kensington & Chelsea | 11:00-17:00 | MMR, MECC |
| 16 April | Kilburn Library | 42 Salusbury Road, NW6 6NN | Brent | 11:00-17:00 | MMR, MECC |
| 17 April | Laurences Larder | Christ Church at Brondesbury, Christchurch Avenue, NW6 7BJ. | Brent | 10:00 - 16:00 | Free Health Conversations |
| 18 April | Vaccination Bus - Harlesden Library | Craven Park Road, NW10 8SE | Brent | 11:00-17:00 | Free Health Conversations |
Information about measles and the vaccination
Measles spreads very easily among those who are unvaccinated, especially in nurseries and schools. Measles can be a very unpleasant illness and in some children can be very serious and lead to hospitalisation – and in rare cases tragically can cause death. Vaccines are our best line of defence against diseases like measles and help stop outbreaks occurring in the community.
Measles usually starts with cold-like symptoms, followed by a rash a few days later. Some people may also get small spots in their mouth. Initial symptoms may include a high temperature, a runny or blocked nose, sneezing, a cough, red, sore, watery eyes and then a rash usually appears a few days after the cold-like symptoms.
Please contact your GP if you suspect measles and further details regarding symptoms
can be found here.
Measles is a highly infectious viral illness, so anyone with symptoms is advised to stay at home and phone their GP or NHS 111 for advice, rather than visiting the surgery or A&E, to prevent the illness spreading further.
Protection from measles
- We are calling on all parents and guardians to make sure their children are up to date with their two MMR doses. To see if your child is up to date with their MMR vaccines, check your child’s personal child health record (PCHR), known as the red book, or contact your GP practice.
When are children offered the vaccination?
- Children are offered the first dose of the MMR vaccine when aged one year and the second dose aged 3 years 4 months.
- In NW London our vaccination teams are visiting schools and community venues to make access to the vaccination easier.
- It is never too late to catch up. The MMR vaccine is free on the NHS, whatever your age. If anyone has missed one or both doses of the MMR vaccine, contact your GP practice to book an appointment.
Resources
- Frequently asked questions - downloadable sheet
- The dangers of missing vaccinations - downloadable sheet
- There is information available from the NHS on the MMR vaccine.
- Other publications and assets on MMR for can be downloaded and ordered for free by healthcare professionals on the health publications website.
- UKHSA resources on immunisation can be found on our website.
- We also have a blog on immunisations in which Vanessa Saliba, UKHSA's Consultant Epidemiologist for Immunisations, outlines the importance of protecting children through vaccination.